STORY ARC #4 HERO OF PENDOWN
First Strike
“You definitely shouldn’t have done that!”
This is a continuation of Inspecting the Prison Hold and A Painful Ruse, part of a ‘Choose Your Own’ tale titled The Hero of Pendown. Check out how you can contribute, as well as read other amazing entries here.
You decide to take the direct approach and unmask the imposter by force, here and now. You’re not sure who this woman is, but you suspect that she must be up to no good.
You draw the laser pistol that had been given to you by Olear, and fire two shots at the woman. The first shot misses her completely, but the second strikes her shoulder and she drops to the ground in a crumpled heap.
“Hero!” Eshami hisses at you, but your concerned expression makes her glance back at Koriya with caution. She steps back and draws her sword.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Koriya growls as her figure contorts and grows in size. The room darkens and black, leathery wings sprout from her body and a red devil tail shoots out. She slowly stands up, an aura of red flame encircling where she stands.
A succubus!
“You definitely shouldn’t have done that!”
You unload the remainder of whatever ammunition is stored in your laser pistol, the glowing pulses getting a few decisive hits in before it ceases to function further.
You curse under your breath and throw the expended weapon at the demon, drawing your prized blade and activating its black, oozing aura.
This demon was not leaving the room alive!
A demon temptress from the fiery realms of legend, you consider as you plot your next move. Though you had never fought one before, tales abound of succubi and their fiendish counterparts tricking mortals to ruin with their maddening whispers.
You raise your sword above your head and dive at the succubus, your shadowy blade tracing a malevolent arc through the air.
It strikes the succubus’ arm, lopping it clean off!
“Raargh!!!” she screams, and spits what feels like acid onto your face.
You cry out in surprise. You’re blinded!
“Eshami!” you cry out, but already you can hear her begin to chant a spell.
Your vision returns to a small degree, but also everything seems to move slower — or you faster? Eshami, you crafty devil!
With Eshami’s enchantments, you make short work of the demon, who now lies dead at your feet. You wipe away any trace of the acid from your face, though your vision is still hampered, sheathing your blade for the time being.
The worried expression of your healer companion now seared into your heart, you grab her and pull her tight. This time, she doesn’t resist. “Demons,” you mutter.
She pulses her palms at your face and your vision returns to normal.
Koriya was small potatoes compared to whoever is really running the show on this Arc, and you’ve got some tough questions for Olear when you return to the Control Room.
You and Eshami stop to request directions from Ketal. “Which way is the quickest route back to Olear?” you ask.
Ketal makes a brief whirring noise as he spins up from the metal floor. “Follow this path here,” he states, pointing to a corridor to the left. “It will lead to a shaft and from there — ”
He is abruptly cut short as his image fizzles and sinks into the floor.
“Ketal?”
Eshami draws her longsword and motions for you to take the lead. “We must make sure Olear is okay!” she states, then fumbles her words and adds, “I-If you think that’s the best option, Hero…”
“I do think that’s the best option,” you say to your companion, smiling. You grasp her free hand and the two of you make haste down the corridor.
You make it to a futuristic device that purports to lift up to the Control Room.
That’s where you’re headed.
Evil beware!
Click to Continue…
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